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Shaun White Nails Qualifying, Secures Bye To Halfpipe Finals

SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 11: Shaun White of the United States competes in the Snowboard Men's Halfpipe Qualification Heats on day four of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park on February 11, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The two-time defending halfpipe gold medalist nailed his first qualifying run on Tuesday with a 95.75, which guaranteed him a spot in the finals later this evening. It wasn’t as if he held back on the second run, either, going for huge air and a few of his bigger tricks, knowing that a place in the finals was almost a foregone conclusion.

After dropping in on his first run, White landed a massive method and then backed it up with consecutive double-corks. His qualifying run ensures White’s chance at a third-straight gold medal in the halfpipe finals to be held later on Tuesday.

American Danny Davis received an automatic bye to the finals as well after throwing down a qualifying score of 92.00. US snowboarders Taylor Gold and Greg Bretz had runs good enough to qualify them for the semifinals.

“I’ve got to step it up to beat Shaun. He’ll have to step up his run as well.” Danny Davis, on his way to halfpipe final tonight.

Rob Hamilton has spent the last 25 years in Broadcast Media across the South.
He spent the first 16 years of his career on the air, mostly at rock and alternative stations, as well as having served as Music Director, Promotions Director, Assis...